Photoblog: Mistakes by the Lake
The Seahawks came off their bye week looking for a second straight road win, this time visiting the Cleveland Browns.
Seahawks players relax in the lobby of the team hotel in-between meetings on Saturday in Cleveland.
The team took charter buses to Case Western Reserve University for their Saturday walk-thru on a field located between picturesque campus dormitories.
On Sunday, defensive lineman Alan Branch was on the field hours before kickoff, playing a little air guitar before taking on the Browns in the city that houses the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Deon Butler signed autographs for members of the 12th MAN who attended the road game.
Starting running back Marshawn Lynch took the field for pregame warmups before back issues prevented him from playing.
Red Bryant, the heart and soul of the Seahawks defense, fired up his teammates on the field during pregame.
Newly signed free-agent Heath Farwell heads out of the tunnel with the team during pregame introductions.
Seattle quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had a tough day and was sacked three times including this nine-yard loss in the game's opening drive.
Whitehurst was hit from behind and lost the ball on a fumble on this second quarter play.
Seattle's defense pressured Cleveland's offense all afternoon, and Red Bryant put a hard knock on Colt McCoy during the first half.
Colt McCoy is sacked by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, who was flagged for a personal foul on the play.
Head referee Mike Carey announces the penalty against Chancellor as Seattle's Chris Clemons seeks an explanation.
Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman upends Cleveland tight end Evan Moore.
Kam Chancellor and Leroy Hill celebrate a stop on third down during the second quarter.
Seattle's Chris Clemons continued his fine play with two quarterback sacks of Cleveland's Colt McCoy.
Seahawks medical staff attends to cornerback Walter Thurmond, who suffered a season-ending leg injury.
The Seahawks defense stood stout and David Hawthorne intercepted a McCoy pass deep in Seattle territory.
Leon Washington broke free on a punt return for an apparent touchdown that would have given the Seahawks the lead, but officals flagged Kennard Cox for an illegal block on the play.
Sidney Rice looks for the end zone on Seattle's lone excursion into Cleveland's red zone. The Seahawks were forced to settle for a field goal.
Red Bryant (79) blocked two field goals on the afternoon, including this key block in the fourth quarter.
Red Bryant celebrates with teammates Raheem Brock, David Vobora, and Sidney Rice after blocking the field goal.
Wide receiver Mike Williams fights but can't reach a ball thrown to him in double coverage on Seattle's final drive.
Offensive tackle Russell Okung leaves the sideline at the end of the 6-3 loss.
Head coach Pete Carroll walked through the locker room and spoke to each player after the game.
Cyber surfing: Tuesday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Oct. 25:
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at the possibility that Charlie Whitehurst could get another start in this week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals at CenturyLink Field. Offers O’Neil: “Backup quarterbacks are like communism. They tend to work better in theory, while real-world applications can be a little more problematic. … ‘It was a hard go,’ coach Pete Carroll said (of Whitehurst’s effort against the Browns). ‘I think that’s the toughest time Charlie has had in the games that he’s played in. I know he didn’t feel real good about it.’ Hard to think of anyone outside of Cleveland who felt good about it. But Whitehurst is still the backup, and he may be needed again this week since Carroll could offer no guarantee Jackson will be ready for Sunday’s game.”
O’Neil also offers “three things we learned” from the loss to the Browns, including: “The growing pains aren’t over: So you thought the Seahawks turned a corner, huh? You believed the last game and a half constituted the Great Leap Forward as the Seahawks scored a total of 57 points. Well, that wasn’t a step backward in Cleveland or a stumble, but a full blown face plant. Seattle gained 137 yards, the second fewest of any game going back to the start of the 2001 season. Ouch. The offensive line that had shown so much improvement gave up another three sacks in the first half, and rookie James Carpenter was penalized twice for false starts. For all the promise Seattle showed in the second half against Atlanta and its victory at New York, Sunday’s game showed Seattle still has a long way to go.”
There’s also “three things we already knew,” including: “Red Bryant is the most important single comment of this defense. He is the strongest player on Seattle’s defense and the biggest reason the Seahawks have been so rugged against the run. The fact that he was able to block not one field-goal attempt, but two, is further testament to his size and significance. Seattle suffered injuries across its defensive line last season, but it was the loss of Bryant in the first half of Game 7 that took the biggest toll. A free agent at the end of the season, his importance to this defense is no longer a question.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com offers “silver linings” from the Seahawks’ loss to the Browns on Sunday, including: “Seattle’s defense held the Browns to six points and 298 yards even though its offense held the ball for only 17 minutes.”
Dave Boling at the News Tribune also weighs in on the quarterback situation. Says Boling: “True enough. Injuries kept running back Marshawn Lynch, tight end Zach Miller and center Max Unger from playing. Add those guys to the offense and the Seahawks might have been able to crack double figures in scoring. But their absence did not alter the validity of critical assessments of Whitehurst’s efforts on plays when he did have time to throw, and when receivers did manage to shake free.”
John Boyle of the Everett Herald runs through the Seahawks’ lengthy injury list, including cornerback Walter Thurmond needing surgery on the ankle he broke in Sunday’s game. Says Boyle: “And while Thurmond’s injury is the most serious, it is hardly the only one that affected the Seahawks in Sunday’s loss. Seattle went to Cleveland knowing it would be without quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral), tight end Zach Miller (concussion) and center Max Unger (foot), then lost Marshawn Lynch just before the game when he had a flare up of back spasms during pregame warm ups.”
Also at the Herald, Scott Johnson continues his “The Game of My Life” series with a look at Eugene Robinson. Says Robinson: “The game I remember the best isn’t a game we won or a game of much significance for the team, but it was the game when I made my biggest hit when I really needed to. Before the season, Coach Chuck Knox wanted to go in a different direction, so he traded for a safety named Johnnie Johnson, who he knew from the Rams. He wanted him to play free safety. Incidentally, I had to do a lot of praying for Coach and a lot of praying for myself so I wouldn’t have a bitter attitude. But I was pretty hot. My wife kept reminding me to pray, to pray for Coach Knox. I was angry, and I took it personally, so there was a lot of prayer that year. In the end, I took my frustration out on Keith Jackson.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the haunting elements of Sunday’s loss in our “Monday Metatarsal Musings,” offering: “The list of plays the Seahawks didn’t make, and allowed the Browns to make, could be turned into a miniseries. Those plays were the difference between being 3-3 and riding the emotional wave that would have come with winning three of their past four games, and being 2-4 and wondering how to right everything that went wrong on Sunday.”
There’s also Tony Ventrella’s video recap of the game, as well as coverage of Monday’s events in words and video.
Cyber surfing: Monday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Oct. 24:
Also at the Times, Danny O’Neil writes that it was stunning that the 6-3 game remained that close with the way the Seahawks offense played. Offers O’Neil: “That Seattle had a chance was amazing considering just how poorly its offense played — which was skid-row, searching-for-loose-change poor. The Seahawks defense allowed just six points despite being on the field for almost 43 minutes, defensive lineman Red Bryant blocked two Cleveland field-goal attempts, and the Browns never got the ball inside the Seattle 30 until the final five minutes of the game.”
Also from O’Neil, a closer look at Bryant’s big day. Says O’Neil: “Bryant is at the heart of that defense, the biggest player on a rough-and-tumble front that is allowing 3.2 yards per carry, fewest of any defense in the league. He had three solo tackles against the Browns, hit McCoy twice and shared a sack. He also became the first Seahawk ever to block two field-goal attempts.”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune looks the Seahawks’ offensive woes with four starters on the sideline against the Browns. Says Williams: “The Seattle Seahawks let a winnable game slip away in a gut-wrenching 6-3 loss to Cleveland at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday. The two teams combined for the fewest points in a game involving the Seahawks in team history.”
Williams also looks at Bryant’s contrasting afternoon, offering: “He’s one of the inspirational leaders of the defense and sets the tone for Seattle’s stingy defensive line. But on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, burly defensive end Red Bryant made his presence known in a different capacity. On special teams. The 6-foot-4, 323-pounder blocked Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson’s attempts from 48 and 24 yards, the last one giving Seattle one last chance in the fourth quarter to win the game.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at all the things in the loss to the Browns that will haunt the Seahawks. As Whitehurst put it: “It’s extremely disappointing. In the end, we lost a game that was there to take.”
We’ve also got a recap, with Bryant as the “Player of the Game,” as well as Tony Ventrella’s video review and Rod Mar’s photo blog.
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has a wrap-up of the Seahawks’ loss. He’s what he liked: “Red Bryant blocked two field goal attempts. Leon Washington provided an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown, negated only by a questionable penalty for an illegal block in the back. The plays from Bryant and Washington were precisely what Seattle needed to stay competitive despite the horrible showing on offense. Strong safety Kam Chancellor continued to add a physical presence in the secondary, blitzing effectively and making players pay for carrying the ball downfield. He lifted Montario Hardesty off the ground and planted him on his back late in the game as Seattle held the Browns to a field goal attempt. Linebacker David Hawthorne played his best game of the season, making big hits and collecting an interception in the red zone. Defensive end Chris Clemons was disruptive, pressuring Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and roughing him up.”
For a look at what happened around the league in Week 7, there’s John Clayton’s “Last Call” at ESPN.com; Pete King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com; and Clark Judge’s “Judgements” at CBSSports.com.
Cyber surfing: Sunday
Good morning from Cleveland. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Oct. 23:
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times looks at today’s game between the Seahawks and Browns as two teams trying to find their quarterbacks. Offers O’Neil: “The question in Seattle is a little bit more muddled. (Charlie) Whitehurst is in the second season of a two-year contract, and for now, remains a backup. Some fans are convinced he’s better than (Tarvaris) Jackson. Others think the two starts last season for a player in his fifth year was enough to know exactly what the ceiling is. The reality is that the gap between Whitehurst and Jackson might not be as great as anyone thinks.”
Also at the Times, Steve Kelley visits with Mike Holmgren, the former Seahawks coach who is now president of the Browns. Say Kelley: “But he still watches the game like a coach, still grades the game tapes and reviews his notes with Shurmur every Tuesday. ‘The same coaching frustrations crop up,’ Holmgren said. ‘I’ve had to learn to deal with it. I have to. It’s one of my jobs now to be supportive of Pat (Shurmur, the Browns coach) and help him be the best coach he can be. And that does not include banging on the table in frustration.’ ”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune also examines the Seahawks’ QB situation, with Whitehurst expected to get the start today. Says leading receiver Doug Baldwin: “You just go out there and play. We can’t control who’s at quarterback at the time. Obviously, you get reps with them in practice. But since you can’t control things that are out of your control, all you can do is make sure you’re running the route the way you’ve been taught, and making sure you’re there at the proper time, and it’s the quarterback’s job to do the rest.”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald looks at the oddity that is having the past three coaches for the Seahawks all in the same stadium at the same time – Pete Carroll on the Seahawks’ sideline; Jim Mora in the TV booth as a Fox analyst; and Holmgren in his box as the Browns’ president. Says Boyle: “Besides, as Mora points out, this game doesn’t have much to do with him. Sure, he happened to have coached the Seahawks after Holmgren and before Carroll, but whatever feelings he has towards the Seahawks won’t change the way the game goes down. ‘Pete has something to do with the game. Mike has something to do with the game because he’s the president. I have nothing to do with the game,’ Mora said. ‘I just comment on the game. I’m the one guy that doesn’t matter.’ “
Boyle also has his “Game Day” look at the matchups on the field, including the one between former Texas teammates Earl Thomas and Colt McCoy.
Christian Caple at PI.com has “Five Things to Watch” in today’s game. Checking in at No. 5 is “stuff the run,” which could lead to: “If the Seahawks can do the same thing Cleveland’s last two opponents have – jump them early, snuff out the running game and force Colt McCoy to throw the Browns back into it – they should have a decent shot at winning two consecutive East Coast road games.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we take a look at the success the Seahawks have had running their no-huddle offense in recent games. As Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora put it after the Seahawks’ upset victory two weeks ago: “We knew it was coming, we prepared for it but we just didn’t have an answer for them. We practiced for that all week. We knew it was coming. We just weren’t able to stop them.”
We’ve also a matchup box with keys to the game, as well as Tony Ventrella’s video preview that includes stops at not just one (Pro Football) but two (Rock and Roll) Hall of Fames.
For a look at the rest of the league, Albert Breer at NFL.com has his picks for Week 7, including a certain team from you-know-where losing a close game at you-know-where; and John Czarnecki at FoxSports.com looks at the games on Fox, including the Seahawks vs. the Browns: “The Seahawks have gone 26 games without a 100-yard rusher, but they will need Marshawn Lynch to give them a big day, considering Charlie Whitehurst is making only his third start at quarterback. Lynch has touchdowns in his last two games.”
Cyber surfing: Saturday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Oct. 22:
The big news, of course, is what has been apparent since QB Tarvaris Jackson strained his right pectoral muscle in the third quarter of the pre-bye week upset of the Giants: backup Charlie Whitehurst is the likely starter in tomorrow’s game against the Browns in Cleveland.
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at Whitehurst’s big chance. Offers O’Neil: “This is Whitehurst’s chance. It’s an opportunity that opened up because of injury, but it is an opportunity. So how did Whitehurst respond in practice? ‘This week he just took it over,’ Carroll said. ‘He just assumed that this was his job. It gave a lot of people a good feeling. The players, they don’t feel like anything is missing right now. We’d like to have Tarvaris available, but Charlie just took over.’ ”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune points out that Carroll stopped short of ruling Jackson out, even though he is listed as doubtful. Says Williams: “Jackson has been a limited participant at practice all week because of a strained pectoral suffered against the New York Giants two weeks ago. He’s been limited to light throwing in individual drills this week, with Whitehurst taking the majority of the snaps with the starters. … ‘We prepared all week long to get Charlie ready to start, and that’s what we’re thinking right now,’ Carroll said.’“But we’re going to still see what Tarvaris does in the next couple days. He threw well yesterday, and he feels OK. So we’ll go all the way up to game time to see where he is.’ ”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald says Whitehurst’s teammates have confidence in him. Offers wide receiver Mike Williams: “Nobody questions whether or not he’s ready to go or whether or not he can get it done. He’s played well on a big stage for us. . . The locker room has a lot of confidence in him and the coaches have a lot of confidence in him.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look back at Whitehurst’s impressive relief performance in the win over the Giants. Says fullback Michael Robinson: “If you’re not out there a lot, it’s hard to get a feel for what you’re comfortable with. And Charlie did a great job, man. It was very impressive.”
We’ve also got Friday’s practice covered in words and video.
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has his “final word” on the NFC West teams heading into Week 7, and he says it’s not time for the Seahawks to relax: “Seattle’s road victory over the previously 3-1 Giants gave the team a 2-1 record over its last three games, casting the Seahawks as a young team on the rise. The Browns, meanwhile, have beaten only an 0-6 Indianapolis team and an 0-5 Miami team. Winning on the road was once a bonus for Seattle, but with San Francisco running out to a 5-1 start, including 3-0 away from home, the Seahawks need to beat bad teams on the road just to stay within striking distance. They are seeking victories in back-to-back road games for the first time since 2007.”
Sando also his “best guesses” predictions for the teams in the division, and he sees a close victory for the Seahawks: “Many, many internal alarms keep going off as I prepare to predict a Seahawks victory in a 10 a.m. PT kickoff. A young team coming off a bye week and an upset victory over the Giants could be feeling a little too good about itself. Throw in a quarterback change with more shuffling on the offensive line and danger signs abound. I just cannot shake from my mind how bad the Browns looked falling behind 24-7 even after Oakland lost starting quarterback Jason Campbell. This one is on Seattle’s defense. Sando’s best guess: Seahawks 16, Browns 14.
As for the rest of the league, there’s Clark Judge’s “Peek at the Week” at CBSSports.com; and John Clayton’s “First and 10” at ESPN.com; and Jason Smith’s “Viewer’s Guide” at NFL.com, in which he predicts a shootout between the Seahawks and Browns.
Thursday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Oct. 20:
FOCUS ON
The run defense. Anyway you stack the stats, the Seahawks have been doing a good job of stopping the run. Entering Sunday’s game against the Browns in Cleveland, they are allowing 3.1 yards per carry to lead the NFL and rank seventh is average yards allowed per game (97.8).
Asked after practice which statistic he values more, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley laughed and offered, “Which one is better?”
That per-carry average, obviously. In fact, only four other teams in the league are allowing 3.5 yards per carry or less – the Cowboys, Ravens and Bills at 3.3; and the Packers at 3.5.
“It’s an emphasis for us to stop the run and we feel like if we can get them one-dimensional then we can have a better chance of defending them,” Bradley said. “I know everybody says it, but we really mean it – everything that we design or come up with and our base principles are all about keeping good leverage, tackling, let’s stop the run and make them one-dimensional.”
Better that talking about it, or even emphasizing it, is that the Seahawks have been doing it.
They allowed 85 rushing yards and a 2.7-yard average to Frank Gore and the 49ers in their opener. The next week, it was 124 yards and a 3.5-yard average in the shutout loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh. In their home opener, it was 90 yards and a 3.2-yard average to the Cardinals. The next week, it was 121 yards and a 3.4-yard average against the Falcons. In their pre-bye week upset of the Giants in the Meadowlands, the Seahawks allowed 69 rushing yards and a 2.8-yard average.
“So it’s been good, and a big part of that is the front four,” Bradley added of the Todd Wash-coached line of Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, Alan Branch and Chris Clemons.
“They’ve been great for us, and the linebackers are stepping in. … So we’ve always got to be able to stop the run and make them one-dimensional.”
PLAYER WATCH
Charlie Whitehurst. The Seahawks’ backup QB continued to get the starter’s reps during the 105-minute practice, because Tarvaris Jackson is recovering from the strained pectoral that knocked him out the Giants game in the third quarter.
Jackson was able to do more today than he did on Wednesday, but will have to do even more if he’s going to play against the Browns.
“That’s the way I’m approaching it,” Whitehurst said when asked he was preparing as if he’ll be the starter. “I’m ready to play, and if it’s not me on Sunday then I’ll be ready to play on the second snap.
“We’ll see what happens with who’s under center, but I’m confident that if my number’s called I can perform.”
NUMBER, PLEASE
Linebacker Heath Farwell, who was just signed on Wednesday, as switched to No. 55 after wearing 44 in his first practice. Practice-squad linebacker Michael Morgan, who was No. 55, is now wearing No. 48.
IN ’N OUT
There was no change in the Seahawks’ injury report from Wednesday.
Did not practice
TE Zach Miller (neck/head)
C Max Unger (foot)
Limited participation
QB Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral)
Full participation
OG Robert Gallery (groin)
RB Marshawn Lynch (ankle)
LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring)
WR Mike Williams (concussion)
But there was a difference in what a couple of these players did in practice. Jackson threw passes early in the non-contact drills – including a couple of 25-yarders. Gallery, meanwhile, got most of the reps at left guard after splitting time with Paul McQuistan on Wednesday.
For the Browns:
Did not practice
LB Scott Fujita (head)
CB Joe Haden (knee)
OL Artis Hicks (back)
RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring)
DB Ray Ventrone (hamstring)
DB Buster Skrine (hip)
Limited participation
OL Alex Mack (illness)
OL Tony Pashos (ankle)
Full participation
LB Titus Brown (ankle)
WR Josh Cribbs (knee)
TE Evan Moore (ankle)
STAT DU JOUR
Sunday’s game features two of the league’s most productive rookie receivers in the Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin and the Browns’ Greg Little. Here’s a look at where they fit in the Top 5:
Player, team No. Yds. Avg. TD
A.J. Green, Bengals 29 453 15.6 4
Julio Jones, Falcons 25 358 14.3 0
Doug Baldwin, Seahawks 20 330 16.5 2
Greg Little, Browns 20 203 10.2 0
Dane Sanzenbacher, Bears 17 135 7.9 2
While Green and Jones were the fourth and sixth picks in the first round of the April NFL Draft and Little was a second-round selections, Baldwin and Sanzenbacher are undrafted free agents.
Also, the Seahawks already have faced Jones and will face Green next week and Sanzenbacher in Week 15.
UP NEXT
The players will practice Friday before the team flies to Cleveland for Sunday’s game. This will be the Seahawks’ second consecutive game in the Eastern time zone. They have won in the Eastern time zone in consecutive games three times in franchise history – the last coming in 1995.
YOU DON’T SAY
“While we’re doing this, would you please introduce yourself – who’s speaking, who’s asking the question – so I know who to be mad at.” – Mike Holmgren, the Seahawks’ former coach and now president of the Browns, at the start of a conference-call interview; which drew eruptive laugher from the reporters in the room
Cyber surfing: Thursday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Oct. 20:
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times has the latest update on the QB situation. Offers O’Neil: “Tarvaris Jackson was on the practice field Wednesday, but Charlie Whitehurst was under center with Seattle’s first-unit offense. That serves as a pretty accurate summary of Seattle’s plans for this week. The Seahawks are preparing as if Whitehurst will start, but Jackson isn’t out of the picture entirely because of the strained pectoral muscle he suffered Oct. 9 in New York.”
Also at the Times, Jerry Brewer looks at the man who is running this week’s opponent – Mike Holmgren, the former Seahawks coach and now president of the Cleveland Browns. Says Brewer: “Are the Seahawks better off without Holmgren? It’s a question that many are asking this week, but it’s a query that produces an unfair answer regardless of your opinion. The better question is this: Can the Seahawks justify making an unpopular decision to break ties completely with the best football mind the franchise has ever known? Yes, absolutely, they can.”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune looks at another reunion in this week’s game, the one between Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas and Browns QB Colt McCoy. Says Williams: “Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas had their fair share of battles on the practice field as teammates at the University of Texas. But for the first time in the NFL, the second-year pros will meet on the field this Sunday when Seattle travels to Cleveland to face the Browns. According to Thomas, he won more times than he lost to McCoy on the practice field back in Austin, Texas.”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald looks at Walter Thurmond, who has stepped in at left cornerback. Says Boyle: “When the Seahawks drafted Walter Thurmond in the fourth round last year, they thought they were getting a steal. Starting now, thanks to Marcus Trufant’s season ending injury, they’re going to find out in earnest if they were right about the cornerback from the University of Oregon. And with that injury, as well as the decision in August to trade Kelly Jennings, the Seahawks are also finding out if their young cornerbacks have what it takes to play big roles on an NFL defense.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com examines the short-yardage rushing defenses in the NFC West and, not surprisingly, the Seahawks stand tallest with a .333 percentage of first downs allowed. He also looks at the injury situations that matter and, unfortunately, the Seahawks appear to lead the division there, as well, starting with Tarvaris Jackson. Says Sando: “Charlie Whitehurst is preparing to start at quarterback while Tarvaris Jackson continues to recover from a pectoral injury. Coach Pete Carroll was vaguer than vague in describing the situation Wednesday, other than to say Whitehurst will get the meaningful practice reps. The drop-off from Jackson to Whitehurst is either small or does not exist, depending on your view. The Seahawks want to evaluate both quarterbacks this season. Why not give Jackson time to make a fuller recovery while taking a look at Whitehurst?”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the youth of the Seahawks’ secondary. Says Thomas: “I don’t think we play as young as we are. I think we play with a lot of fire out there. Everybody is hungry and we all get to the ball. And good things always happen when you’re around the ball.”
We’ve also got Wednesday’s practice covered in words, pictures and video.
Wednesday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Oct. 19:
FOCUS ON
Tarvaris Jackson. The Seahawks continued to prepare Charlie Whitehurst to start at quarterback in Sunday’s post-bye week game against the Browns in Cleveland. But Jackson also continues his rapid recovery from the strained pectoral that knocked him out of the pre-bye week victory over the New York Giants.
Jackson not only was in uniform for today’s 95-minute practice, he was handing off during the run-drill period.
“The trainers and the doctors are really surprised that he’s able to do what he’s doing,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s really tough-minded. He’s just not wavering with this at all. It’s like he’s going to handle it.
“He’s very consistent in his character and his personality and you can see it’s coming out here in his attempt to rehab it, too. He’s going to be very tough on himself and very demanding. He’s not going to be knocked off course because he’s got a little something he’s dealing with.”
And what does Carroll need to see before getting Jackson back on course to return to the lineup?
“Obviously, we want to see him throw. He can run. He’s fine doing all that stuff,” Carroll said. “But we’ll need to see him throw the football competitively, where he can fire it around like he does. How long we wait during the week to find that out … we might go all the way to game time to understand whether he’ll be available to us.”
Until then, Whitehurst is running the offense in practice.
“I’m not impatient about it,” Carroll said. “In the meantime, Charlie is getting ready to play.”
PLAYER WATCH
Heath Farwell. Tuesday, the linebacker and special teams standout was taking care of his 8-week-old son, Brock. Wednesday, he worked out for the Seahawks in the morning, signed a contract and then took part in both the late morning walk-thru and afternoon practice.
“It’s a whirlwind, but that’s life in the NFL,” said Farwell, who got a call from Seahawks on Tuesday after the club worked out six other linebackers on Monday. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m ready to help out in any way I can to help this team win.
“I’m excited to play. You sit around and watch games on TV and you get hungry.”
Farwell signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2005, part of a linebacker class from San Diego State that also included Matt McCoy, who is on the Seahawks’ injured reserve list; and Kirk Morrison of the Buffalo Bills. Farwell was voted to the Pro Bowl as the NFC special teams player in 2009, but the Vikings released him in September.
“I’ve been working out,” Farwell said. “But I’ve also got an 8-week-old at home, so I’ve been working at home. My wife put me to work.”
CAPTAIN, MY CAPTIAN
Carroll was asked for the second time this week is he intended to name another defensive captain because cornerback Marcus Trufant has been placed on injured reserve because of disc problem in his back.
“I don’t think it’s the kind of situation where we should take a vote. Tru is our captain,” Carroll said. “He was voted for this season and he remains our captain even though he can’t be there all the time. He’ll be around us.
“We already talked about that (on Monday). Our young guys in the secondary rely on him quite a bit and as much as we can keep him around and with them as they go through the process of the season and the game plans and dealing with the issues and all, he needs to be a voice for those guys. He’s a big part of it.”
OPPONENT WATCH
Greg Little. The rookie wide receiver is doing a lot for the Browns, as in leading the team in receptions. His development has been a gradual process in this season that followed the lack of an offseason and a hurry-up approach to the preseason.
“He kind of came to training camp as, I would call him, a true rookie,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur said today. “He battled through training camp and there was some inconsistency that you see with young players. The first quarter of the year, they found a way to get some production and then after the bye basically just started him.
“What I see from him is a guy that is improving each day. I wouldn’t even say each week. I would say he’s improving each day. I see things about him that are better.”
Little starts at split end, but also will move into the slot in the three- and four-receiver packages. At 6 feet 2, 220 pounds, Little can create some big matchup problems.
“He’s a big target,” Shurmur said. “He’s got excellent ball skills. He’s a good player that’s improving.”
IN ’N OUT
Left guard Robert Gallery returned to practice for the first time since getting a groin injury that required surgery in the Week 2 loss to the Steelers. But center Max Unger continued to sit out because of a foot injury and was replaced by Lemuel Jeanpierre.
Also sitting out was tight end Zach Miller (head/neck). But running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring) participated fully.
Cornerback Roy Lewis, tight end Cameron Morrah and wide receiver Deon Butler, who have been on the physically unable to perform list since training camp opened, practiced for the first time. Lewis got some work as the nickel back in the No. 1 defense and also took reps at cornerback with the No. 2 unit. Morrah and Butler also worked with both units on offense.
“I’m happy for those guys. They’re been working hard to get here,” Carroll said. “We’ll ease those guys into it.”
For the Browns:
Did not practice
LB Scott Fujita (head)
CB Joe Haden (knee)
OL Artis Hicks (back)
RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring)
DB Ray Ventrone (hamstring)
Limited participation
OL Alex Mack (illness)
OL Tony Pashos (ankle)
Full participation
LB Titus Brown (ankle)
WR Josh Cribbs (knee)
TE Evan Moore (ankle)
On Hillis, the Browns’ leading rusher, Shurmur said, “It’s too early to speculate as to whether he’ll be available this weekend. He’s working through it just like you would.”
STAT DU JOUR
The Seahawks don’t just have an 11-5 record in previous games against the Browns; they have a better winning percentage against the Browns – past and present – than any team in the NFL. Here’s a look at the Seahawks’ Top 5, by percentage:
Opponent Record Pct.
Browns 11-5 .688
Jaguars 4-2 .667
Bears 8-4 .666
Titans/Oilers 9-5 .643
Buccaneers 7-4 .636
UP NEXT
The team will practice on what is “Turnover Thursday,” according to the Carroll calendar, but the defensive players must have been confused today because it was the second practice of the week after Monday’s bonus session. Linebacker K.J. Wright intercepted three passes, including one of the final play of practice and another that he took from the hands of practice-squad tight end John Nalbone. Free safety Earl Thomas had two picks and came tantalizingly close to getting a third. Cornerback Brandon Browner made it a pick-six by adding another.
YOU DON’T SAY
“Well, Cleveland’s not the East Coast. I’m from the East Coast. You guys get this confused. Cleveland is not on the East Coast. Cleveland is in the Midwest.” – rookie tackle and geography buff John Moffitt, who’s from Guilford, Conn., when asked about playing on the East Coast this week
Tuesday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Oct. 11:
FOCUS ON
Charlie Whitehurst. So, how does a quarterback who got very few reps running the Seahawks’ no-huddle offense in practice last week prepare himself to step in during the second half of Sunday’s game and help pull out a huge win over the New York Giants?
“It’s something that I knew we were going to do, so you kind of do it in your hotel room by yourself,” Whitehurst said.
That would have been Saturday night in Jersey City.
“You can kind of call some plays and make sure you formation things correctly. So you’ve got to prepare yourself that way.”
Really? “I’m in bed doing it,” Whitehurst said, jokingly. “I’ve often wondered if people can hear me through the walls.”
Whatever works. And that must have helped, because Whitehurst threw what proved to be the game-winning touchdown pass to rookie Doug Baldwin as part of his 11-of-19, 149-yard performance.
Whitehurst continued to run the offense today in the first of the team’s two bye-week practices because Tarvaris Jackson is sidelined with the strained pectoral in his throwing (right) shoulder that forced him to leave Sunday’s game.
No one knows when Jackson will be back, so Whitehurst is preparing as he always does – but doing it by getting the starter reps in practice.
“You never know,” Whitehurst said. “I didn’t know I was going to play in the game last weekend. So if I’m called to start, I’ll be ready to do that. I’ll prepare like I’m the starter these next two weeks. If they need me, I’ll be ready.”
PLAYER WATCH
Ben Obomanu. Speaking of players who are ready to step in when needed, the sixth-year wide receiver is making a career of it. Mike Williams could not play against the Giants because the concussion he got against the Atlanta Falcons the week before, so Obomanu started at split end and caught a career-high six passes for 51 yards – including an 11-yard TD catch to cap the Seahawks’ game-opening eight-play, 80-yard drive.
“Ben is really a good player,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s just rock-solid. He’s talented. He’s a great worker. He’s got downfield speed. He makes the tough catches. He runs in traffic. He blocks well.
“He’s a front-line player. He’s a star. So in a game like this, Mike wasn’t there and we kept going and it was great.”
Obomanu caught three passes for 31 yards on the game-opening drive.
“That’s how it’s supposed to be when you’re well-equipped,” Carroll said. “Guys step up and fill in and you don’t feel the absence of a guy. Shoot, Ben was all over the first drive. He was on the money.”
Obomanu also started six games last season, when he caught 30 passes and scored four TDs.
IN ’N OUT
Ten players did not participate in today’s 90-minute practice that was held in the indoor practice facility. The unexpected sideline spectator was center Max Unger, who was wearing a protective boot on his right foot because it began to swell on Monday.
“It doesn’t look to be anything too bad,” assistant head coach/line coach Tom Cable said. “Right now, they’re saying we should plan like we’re going to have him next week (for the Oct. 23 game at Cleveland). So we’ll move toward that and see what happens.”
With Unger and backup Lemuel Jeanpierre out, rookie John Moffitt moved to center and was replaced at right guard by Tyler Polumbus.
Also sitting out: left tackle Robert Gallery, running back Marshawn Lynch, tight end Zach Miller, cornerback Marcus Trufant, linebacker Leroy Hill, defensive end Raheem Brock, Jackson and Williams.
Leon Washington replaced Lynch, Obomanu continued to sub for Williams, Anthony McCoy worked for Miller, Walter Thurmond was at left cornerback for Trufant and David Vobora filled in for Hill.
Linebacker Malcolm Smith returned to practice after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Rookie linebacker Michael Morgan, who was with the team in the team training camp, has been signed to the practice squad. To clear a spot, fullback Eddie Williams was released.
STAT DU JOUR
Whitehurst’s performance in the final quarter and a half on Sunday was in stark contrast to his first NFL start last season in a 41-7 loss to the Giants in Seattle. Here’s a statistical comparison of the two outings:
Att. Comp. Yards TD Int. Rating
Sunday 19 11 149 1 0 100.5
Last season 23 12 113 1 2 44.3
UP NEXT
The players will have their final bye-week practice on Wednesday, and then be off through Sunday.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I’m really not surprised, honestly. The first few days of training camp we all kind of had a smirk on our face like, ‘How in the world did we get this guy?’ ” – Whitehurst on Baldwin, the undrafted free agent who leads the team in receptions (20) and receiving yards (330) and shares the lead in TD catches (two)
Rock the vote for Charlie and Doug
Whitehurst-to-Baldwin has scored again. Twice.
Charlie Whitehurst and Doug Baldwin, who hooked up for a game-winning 27-yard touchdown pass in the Seahawks’ 36-25 upset of the New Giants on Sunday, have been nominated for NFL.com weekly awards. And you can help them win.
Whitehurst is a nominee for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week. The Seahawks’ backup QB came on in the second half, after Tarvaris Jackson strained a pectoral muscle, and completed 11 of 19 passes for 149 yards. The biggest, of course, was the 27-yard TD pass to Baldwin that gave the Seahawks a 29-25 lead with 2:37 remaining in the game. Whitehurst was 4 of 5 for 77 yards on the 80-yard drive, and the incompletion was a dropped pass.
You can vote for Whitehurst here.
Baldwin, who made the team as an undrafted free agent, is a nominee for Pepsi Rookie of the Week. Baldwin caught eight passes for 136 yards against the Giants, including three for 50 yards on the 77-yard drive that ended with his TD catch. Baldwin also had a drive-opening 22-yard catch and an 8-yarder on third-and-7 during the seven-play possession.
You can vote for Baldwin here. He also was nominated for this award after his four-catch, 83-yard performance in the season opener.
Voting ends at 9 a.m. PDT on Friday. For another look at the original Whitehurst-to-Baldwin, click here.
